Method and apparatus for forming engineered stone

Abstract

A compression device, means for controlling the compression device, a drum having an inner chamber, means for rotating the drum, and first and second delivery devices for delivering first and second materials into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating. The compression device compresses the first and second material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. The apparatus may include a stirring device; and a means for controlling the stirring device; wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first and second materials in the drum while the drum is rotating.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a compression device; 
 means for controlling the compression device; 
 a drum having an inner chamber; 
 means for rotating the drum; and 
 a first delivery device for delivering a first material into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about a center of the drum; 
 and wherein the compression device is configured with respect to the drum so that the compression device compresses the first material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device 
 and further comprising a stirring device; and 
 a means for controlling the stirring device; and 
 wherein the stirring device is configured with respect to the drum so that the stirring device can be moved up and down to a desired depth within the drum and rotates within the inner chamber of the drum to stir the first material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the stirring device; 
 wherein the drum is configured to rotate about a first axis passing through the center of the drum; and 
 wherein the stirring device is configured to rotate within the inner chamber of the drum about a second axis, which does not coincide with the first axis, and which is displaced a distance away from the first axis. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus comprising
 a compression device; 
 means for controlling the compression device; 
 a drum having an inner chamber; 
 means for rotating the drum; and 
 a first delivery device for delivering a first material into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about a center of the drum; 
 wherein the compression device is configured with respect to the drum so that the compression device compresses the first material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device; 
 wherein drum has an opening, 
 wherein the apparatus further includes a plug device which is configured to cover and plug the opening in the drum during a first stage of operation, to prevent the first material from escaping from the drum through the opening in the drum; 
 and wherein the plug device is configured to uncover the opening in the drum during a second stage of operation to allow the first material to escape from the drum through the opening in the drum. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the compression device includes a conical frustum having an lateral outer surface and an axis, and an axle 
 and wherein the conical frustum rotates about the axis on the axle and compresses the first material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising
 a support structure which is configured to lower the conical frustum into the inner chamber of the drum in order to compress the first material. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein
 the support structure includes a first piston connected to first end of the axle and a second piston connected to a second end of the axle; 
 and wherein the first piston and the second piston are configured to be controlled to lower the conical frustum into the inner chamber of the drum in order to the compress the first material. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising
 means for controlling the first piston and the second piston to control how much pressure is applied by the lateral outer surface of the conical frustum on the first material to compress the first material in the inner chamber of the drum. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein
 the conical frustum has a circular upper base and a circular lower base, wherein the circular upper base has a smaller diameter than the circular lower base; 
 wherein the conical frustum as a circumferential surface; and 
 wherein the conical frustum is arranged with respect to the center of the drum so that the circular upper base is closer to the center of the drum than the circular lower base; and the circumferential surface of the conical frustum is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein
 the conical frustum is designed so that the ratio between any cross sectional circumference of the conical frustum taken along its length and its corresponding circular travel path along the drum is constant. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the compression device includes a power hammer device. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein
 the power hammer device includes a piston. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein
 the piston is connected to a compression plate. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein
 the power hammer device includes means for controlling a pounding force of the power hammer device for compressing the first material. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising
 a second delivery device for delivering a second material into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about a center of the drum; 
 and wherein the compression device is configured with respect to the drum so that the compression device compresses the first and the second material together in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising
 a shovel device configured with respect to the drum to be lowered into the inner chamber and to push the first material into the opening in the drum during the second stage of operation to cause the first material to escape from the drum. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the stirring device is configured to rotate at a speed which is not dependent on the speed at which the drum rotates. 
 
     
     
       16. An apparatus comprising:
 a compression device; 
 means for controlling the compression device; 
 a drum having an inner chamber; 
 means for rotating the drum; and 
 a first delivery device for delivering a first material into the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about a center of the drum; 
 wherein the compression device is configured with respect to the drum so that the compression device compresses the first material in the inner chamber of the drum while the drum is rotating about the center of the drum in response to the means for controlling the compression device; and 
 wherein the first delivery device is configured with respect to the drum, so that the first delivery device moves back and forth along a radius of the drum. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 the drum has an opening, 
 wherein the apparatus further includes a plug device which is configured to cover and plug the opening in the drum during a first stage of operation, to prevent the first material from escaping from the drum through the opening in the drum; 
 and wherein the plug device is configured to uncover the opening in the drum during a second stage of operation to allow the first material to escape from the drum through the opening in the drum. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17  further comprising
 a shovel device configured with respect to the drum to be lowered into the inner chamber and to push the first material into the opening in the drum during the second stage of operation to cause the first material to escape from the drum. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein
 wherein the first delivery device is configured with respect to the drum, so that the first delivery device moves back and forth along a radius of the drum.